October is a synonym of celebration for many Peruvians in South Florida. The Señor de los Milagros festivity is probably one of the largest Catholic religious celebrations in the world. This tradition dates back to the 17th century in Lima by an African slave who painted an image of Jesus Christ on a wall. The devotion to this image became popular after an earthquake impacted the capital of Peru and destroyed everything but the mural. Since then, every October there are many celebratory processions that include music and special foods.

Peruvians around the world gather for this festivity. The organizers of the festivities are members of the Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros, a men’s fraternity that it's identified with purple habits and who practice devotion to the traditional image. The Hermandad headquarters are located in Lima but in South Florida there are five affiliated fraternities, therefore at least five celebrations occur during the month of October, most of them by the Peruvian neighborhood of Kendall.

Many Peruvians find the Señor de los Milagros as a symbol of identity, and also as a way to share their heritage with the rest of the community. Similar celebrations occur in New York City, Patterson (NJ), Los Angeles and the DC area.

So if you haven’t try Turrón de doña Pepa or Picarones yet, this is probably the best time to join a traditional Peruvian festivity.

[photo] Señor de los Milagros procession in Kendall, Miami

Schedule

Señor de los Milagros Festivity in South Florida
(Mass, procession, food fair and music)

- October 15
San Isidro Parish, Starts at 7pm

2310 Martin Luther King. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

- October 16th
Good Shepherd Parish, Starts at Noon

14187 SW 72nd St Miami, FL 33183

- October 23rd
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Starts at 1pm

11291 SW 142nd. Ave, Miami FL 33186

- October 30th
Corpus Christi Parish, Starts at 1pm

730 NW 34 St, Miami 33127